INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indy Eleven unveiled their brand new alternate jersey for the team on Tuesday.

“This is the alternate jersey we’ll be wearing for U.S. Open Cup games,” Indy Eleven President and General Manager Peter Wilt said. “I love the fact that it’s been designed to look like the city of Indianapolis’ municipal flag – you see on the shoulders it has the stars, and it actually looks like the city flag. We’re very proud to wear the city colors.”

The jersey was unveiled on-air before the start of a team garage sale in Broad Ripple where fans could buy team-worn shirts and team worn jerseys, among other items. That ran from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the general public and 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for season ticket holders.

The Cosmos took a 2-0 halftime lead behind goals by David Diosa and Mads Stoekkelien.

The Eleven cut the defending NASL champions lead in half on Mike Ambersley’s sixth goal of the season in the 61st minute. Jermaine Johnson tied the match when he chipped it over New York goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck’s head in injury time.

“The fight that we showed here showed we can play with any team in this league,” head coach Juergen Sommer said. “It’s just managing some of the small details defensively and offensively as we did in the second half. We took care of the opportunities that we had. We put it in the back of the net. That’s what it’s going to take to win games.”

The Indy Eleven return to action next Saturday in Atlanta when they take on the Silverbacks.

]]>http://wishtv.com/2014/08/31/indy-eleven-rally-for-draw-with-cosmos/feed/0Sun, 31 Aug 2014 04:41:01 +0000Indy Eleven logowishphilnardielloIndy Eleven play to scoreless drawhttp://wishtv.com/2014/08/07/indy-eleven-play-to-scoreless-draw/
http://wishtv.com/2014/08/07/indy-eleven-play-to-scoreless-draw/#commentsFri, 08 Aug 2014 03:54:36 +0000http://wishtv.com/?p=47299]]>INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The Indy Eleven failed to score a goal in a match for the first time in franchise history as they played to a scoreless draw with Fort Lauderdale Wednesday at Carroll Stadium.

The Eleven had to play with only 10 men for the final 30 minutes of the game after forward Jermaine Johnson was shown a red card for sliding in late to Strikers’ midfielder Shawn Chin.

The Indy Eleven have a quick turnaround. They’ll play at San Antonio on Saturday night at 8:30 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Indy Eleven Soccer is taking the city by storm, but it’s what the organization is doing off the field that has some people talking. The Indy Eleven brand will be seen in some unexpected places. Some might call it a unique partnership for a sporting franchise.

“I don’t know how that works, but I always believe the more you give the more you get back,” said Indy Eleven Owner Ersal Ozdemir.

And on January 16, 2013, Ozdemir brought soccer to Indianapolis and in that time the team has grown with a large fan base. Off the field the soccer team is making what some call remarkable collaborations.

“Who would have ever thought the newest professional sports team in Indianapolis would team up with us,” said Pauline Moffat with IndyFringe.

Moffat started the IndyFringe theatre 10 years ago. Indy Eleven has partnered with the theatre. Moffat said in the next few months the near Mass Avenue building will go through a transformation thanks to the soccer team.

“We are building an extension and that will be part theatre, part community space and part support for the cultural trail,” Moffat said.

“I think it’s really cool. I think they are going to do big things in our city,” said Nicole Osborne of Indianapolis.

Ozdemir said that’s the plan.

Soon, Indy Eleven will have it’s own beer. It will be brewed up by Flat 12 Bierwerks, one of Indy Eleven’s sponsors. Right now, soccer fans can vote on the beer’s name and what the can could look like.

Call it what you want; Ozdemir calls it connecting with the community.

“We have a very strong young professional base. A lot of them are Brickyard Battalion fans which is the largest best sporting goods in the league and they love soccer and they like craft beer,” he said.

And Ozdemir said this is just the beginning of making partnerships like this in the community.

“When you are fortunate and you have great support; you have to give back as much or more,” he said.

Edmonton failed to clear a corner kick attempt and Kleberson pounced on the opportunity blasting a shot inside the far right post. It was Kleberson’s fifth goal of the year, tying him with Mike Ambersley for the team lead.

The Eleven extended their road unbeaten streak to four games in NASL play, including the team’s first league win in franchise history in Carolina two weeks ago.

The Eleven returns home to Carroll Stadium on Saturday to host Atlanta at 7:30 p.m. on MyIndy-TV 23.

The guys were back at practice ahead of their first home match in seven weeks. They’re feeling pretty good coming off their first win of the season after the World Cup break.

“I think it was a long time coming,” said 19-year-old striker Ben Spencer. “The boys have put in a lot of hard work, so it’s just definitely rewarding and spirits are up now, so you know we’re ready for the weekend. We’re buzzing as well so we’re going to get a win.”

The Eleven also added a few new players, including Honduran midfielder Sergio Pena. The 27-year-old is on loan from Real Sociedad de Tocoa.

“Sergio has been on our radar since coach Sommer’s first scouting trip to Central American last fall,” said president and General Manager Peter Wilt. “Sergio’s experience and skill set in the middle of the field should pay dividends for the club immediately.”

The NASL expansion team is currently on break until the tournament wraps up next month. Some players and coaches have been taking part in watch parties around the city.

They’ll resume practices later this week to get back into the swing of things.

Indy Eleven coach Juergen Sommer, who’s seen his sport’s popularity rise every four years told 24-Hour News 8 the World Cup gives club teams a real bump.

“The timing’s great, opening our franchise during the summer of a World Cup,” said Sommer. “We’re fortunate to ride the interest for the sport, especially on a world wide stage and the success of the men’s team just gathers more interest for the sport in general.”

“There is a halo effect where it creates more interest in club teams,” team president Peter Wilt said. “Indy Eleven, as much interest as we’ve had and the support we’ve had, if the United States continues to be successful, that will rub off and increase interest in the team.”

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The World Cup kicks off Thursday afternoon and local fans will be able to join Indy Eleven players and staff at several watch parties across central Indiana.

Team officials said each party will feature player appearances, food and drink specials, and promotional giveaways.

Watch parties will be held for Thursday’s 4 p.m. match between Brazil and Coatia at Chatham Tap downtown on Mass Ave, Ralston’s DraftHouse on Mass Ave, and at Tucano’s Brazilian Grill in Hamilton Town Center in Noblesville.

While football and basketball continue to be more popular sports, the numbers show there are more American soccer fans than there used to be.

Forbes Magazine took a look at the rise of soccer here and found the number of Americans who’ve watched, listened to, or gone to a major soccer match is up 32 percent in the last four years.

Locally, in their first season, the Indy Eleven team has sold out matches. As the team prepared for the season earlier this Spring, players hoped the community would welcome them.

“It’s important for the city,” said Ben Spencer in an April interview. “The city really embraces professional sports and to have a soccer club in the city, it’s really great for everyone.”

Click here for a link to more information on the watch parties, times, and locations.

The Scorpions scored first on a goal by Billy Forbes in the 52nd minute, but the Eleven netted the equalizer 22 minutes later when Blake Smith put in a cross from Don Smart. It was Smith’s fourth goal this week after he recorded a hat trick in Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup match.

Indy goalkeeper Kristian Nicht made a sprawling save in the final minutes to keep the game even, but Walter Restrepo pounced on the rebound for the game-winner.

The Eleven will complete their spring schedule next week with a match at Atlanta at 7:30 p.m.

]]>http://wishtv.com/2014/05/31/san-antonio-tops-the-indy-eleven-2-1/feed/0Sun, 01 Jun 2014 03:50:06 +0000Indy Eleven logowishphilnardielloIndy Eleven records first official victoryhttp://wishtv.com/2014/05/29/indy-eleven-records-first-official-victory/
http://wishtv.com/2014/05/29/indy-eleven-records-first-official-victory/#commentsThu, 29 May 2014 04:22:17 +0000http://wishtv.com/?p=29480]]>INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Blake Smith scored three goals and tallied two assists to help lead the Indy Eleven to a 5-2 win over the Dayton Dutch Lions at Carroll Stadium in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup.

The win is the first official victory in franchise history.

Smith scored two goals four minutes apart to put the Eleven up 2-0.

Mike Ambersley scored off of a Smith cross in the 43rd minute to put Indy up 3-0 heading into the locker room for halftime.

Dylan Mares made it 4-0 before Smith scored his third goal of the night for the hat trick.

The Indy Eleven will take on Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew in round four of the U.S. Open Cup on June 17th.

New York scored first when Sebastian Guenzatti curled one into the net only four minutes into the game.

Brad Ring scored the equalizer for the Eleven on a great individual effort in the 76th minute. The Indy midfielder carried the ball 40-yards before firing a low shot past Jimmy Maurer.

The Indy Eleven return home to Carroll Stadium for a pair of matches this week. The Eleven takes on the Dayton Dutch Lions of the USL Pro League in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday. Indy then wraps up the home portion of its NASL Spring Season with a game against San Antonio on Saturday. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. on MyIndy-TV 23.

]]>http://wishtv.com/2014/05/24/indy-eleven-rallies-for-draw-with-cosmos/feed/0Sun, 25 May 2014 03:44:59 +0000Indy Eleven FlagwishphilnardielloIndy Eleven falls to Ottawa Fury FC 4-2http://wishtv.com/2014/05/18/indy-eleven-falls-to-ottawa-fury-fc-4-2/
http://wishtv.com/2014/05/18/indy-eleven-falls-to-ottawa-fury-fc-4-2/#commentsSun, 18 May 2014 04:43:21 +0000http://wishtv.com/?p=26749]]>INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The Indy Eleven is still looking for the franchise’s first win after dropping a 4-2 decision to the Ottawa Fury FC Saturday night before a sellout crowd at Carroll Stadium.

The Fury took an early 1-nil lead on a goal by Tony Donatelli, but the Indy Eleven quickly responded when Mike Ambersley converted a penalty kick.

Ottawa regained the lead with two goals within two minutes by Omar Jarun and Donatelli.

Indy cut the lead in half before halftime on a goal by Ben Spencer, but Ottawa put the match away on a tap in by Oliver in the 68th minute.

Indy Eleven star Kleberson sat out the game with a hamstring injury.

The Eleven is now 0-4-2. They’re back in action next week at the unbeaten New York Cosmos.

]]>http://wishtv.com/2014/05/18/indy-eleven-falls-to-ottawa-fury-fc-4-2/feed/0Sun, 18 May 2014 04:43:21 +0000Indy Eleven logowishphilnardielloIndy Eleven falls to Edmonton 2-1http://wishtv.com/2014/05/11/indy-eleven-falls-to-edmonton-2-1/
http://wishtv.com/2014/05/11/indy-eleven-falls-to-edmonton-2-1/#commentsSun, 11 May 2014 04:17:01 +0000http://wishtv.com/?p=24915]]>INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The Indy Eleven are still searching for their first win in franchise history after dropping a 2-1 decision to Edmonton Saturday night at Carroll Stadium.

Daryl Fordyce and Kareem Moses scored two minutes apart to put Edmonton up 2-0 nothing midway through the first half.

The Eleven cut the deficit in half in the 29th minute when Edmonton’s Mallan Roberts deflected Mike Ambersley’s shot into his own net.

Indy held the momentum for the next 15 minutes, but could not net the equalizer.

“We made it difficult for ourselves,” Indy Eleven head coach Juergen Sommer said. “We gave away two sloppy goals and trying to come back from a deficit like that is very hard to do. I have a young team. We’re building. We’re making some amateur mistakes still, so we have to nip it in the bud to gives ourselves a chance to really compete.”

The Indy Eleven host Ottawa next Saturday on MyIndy-TV 23.

]]>http://wishtv.com/2014/05/11/indy-eleven-falls-to-edmonton-2-1/feed/0Sun, 11 May 2014 04:17:01 +0000Indy Eleven logolinrobbiebyrdIndy Eleven lose in Minnesotahttp://wishtv.com/2014/05/04/indy-eleven-lose-in-minnesota/
http://wishtv.com/2014/05/04/indy-eleven-lose-in-minnesota/#commentsSun, 04 May 2014 04:23:37 +0000http://wishtv.com/?p=23121]]>BLAINE, Minn. (WISH) – For the second Saturday in a row, the Indy Eleven’s rally falls short on the road as Minnesota United FC hangs on for a 3-2 win.

The United jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Christian Ramirez and Daniel Mendes two minutes apart.

The Eleven got one goal back when Minnesota’s Simone Bracalello accidently scored into his own net in the 42nd minute.

The United responded five minutes later with a 20-yard blast by Aaron Pitchkolan in stoppage time to make it 3-1 before the half.

Jose Kleberson converted a penalty kick to make it 3-2, but the Indy Eleven ran out of time before they could score the equalizer.

The Eleven are now 0-2-2 (2 points). They return home next week to take on Edmonton FC at 7:30 p.m.